bio

I have always thought of our world as a place of incredible beauty. Many of my earliest memories are built around that foundational view. I remember as a kid in grade school noticing wonderfully compelling images, in even their simplest form. They’re everywhere. Take a look out your window if you don’t believe me. (What? You don’t see it? Well, ok, that’s fine, if you don’t see it, I’m going to show it to you.) Using Instamatic cameras -- remember them? -- I photographed whatever interested me, and by the time I reached junior high, I had saved enough money to purchase an all black Canon AE-1 with a 50mm 1.4 lens. I was in heaven. Shortly thereafter I built a darkroom with my Dad, and learned everything I could about photography in the basement of 504 South Second Street, in Effingham, Illinois. Somewhere in the dark, I decided that I wanted to capture light. I decided I wanted to be a professional photographer.

25 years later, I’m still going strong. Combining photography with my love of adventure, I see the opportunity to share the beauty of the world with others who might want to understand how photography can tell personal stories, wherever and whenever they find them. Much as I found mine. If someone asks me what I do best, I tell them I specialize in photographing animals, lifestyle, kids and motion. Sometimes apart, sometimes in combination. Really, my job is to share the incredible beauty that’s available to us in even the most unexpected places. And I love my job. But that’s enough about me. Let’s go take some photos.